Disney lets New York theatergoers switch tickets

NEW YORK (AP) — Disney is giving an early Christmas present to theatergoers in New York — the gift of flexibility.

Disney Theatrical Productions is letting ticketholders to its Broadway shows — "Aladdin" and "The Lion King" — the chance to switch the dates they see the musicals for any reason as long as it's done two hours before the performance.

The offer, unprecedented for the commercial part of Broadway, starts immediately. Usually such flexibility with tickets on the Great White Way has been restricted to nonprofit theaters.

"Our aim is to empower ticketholders with an unprecedented level of flexibility so that they can make their plans in advance knowing there are options if they need to change their schedule," said David Schrader, a Disney executive.

Tickets can be exchanged at the original point of purchase via the Disney on Broadway hotline, Ticketmaster or in-person at the New Amsterdam or Minskoff theater box offices. The exchange applies only for another performance of the show originally purchased. A $12 per ticket fee will be charged.

Exchanges will be valued at the same price as the original face value of the first ticket, though patrons can upgrade to a better seat and pay the difference. Exchanges are subject to blackout dates, but there is no limit to the number of times the tickets can be exchanged.